Irish Music Stories is the show about traditional music.... and the much bigger stories behind it. IMS is about everything--through an Irish music lens.

Whether you already play the fiddle or you know nothing about trad music or dance, I hope you'll join me, Shannon Heaton, as I learn how a band of Boston tweens ended up at a big music competition in Sligo, and what it meant to their families... and as I dig into the darker, sweeter side of Irish humor... and as I explore what learning Irish songs together is really all about.

Meet thoughtful and incredibly charming people in pubs, kitchens, and backstages throughout the U.S., Ireland, and beyond, underscored with toe-tapping and heart-soaring melodies that seem familiar, even if you've never heard them before.

What do the Irish music and dance worlds think about practicing?
Fiddle players Fergal Scahill, Finn Magill, and Rose Flanagan;
banjo player Martin Howley; cellist Natalie Haas; flute player
Nicole Rabata; and dancer Kieran Jordan share thoughts about
woodshedding in the trad world.

Plenty of music here, too. Full playlist below.

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Thanks to everybody for listening. And a special thank you to,
George McAvoy, Michael Craine, David Vaughan, Brian Benscoter. Joe
Garrett, Gerry Corr, Daniel, and one anonymous donor for
underwriting this episode.